In Pictures: Of punchcards, platters, and wooden mice. The PC's origin story

As pundits ponder the future of the PC—Do desktops matter anymore? Are tablets PCs or something else? What about hybrids like the Surface?—we figured it was time to hop off the hype cycle and forget the constant tick-tocking of Moore’s Law for a moment.

Let’s revel in the roots of the wonder machines that make our lives easier. From the first GPUs and CPUs to the forerunner of the Internet, these are the breakthroughs that birthed computers as we know them today. Staring history in the face reminds us that all computing devices share the same background.

Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of IDG Communications is prohibited. Copyright 2013 IDG Communications.
ABN 14 001 592 650. All rights reserved.

Contact Us

With over 25 years of brand awareness and credibility, Good Gear Guide (formerly PC World Australia), consistently delivers editorial excellence through award-winning content and trusted product reviews.